AUSTIN, Texas — A high-stakes vote this week could shape what Texas public school students learn in social studies for the next decade, as the State Board of Education considers proposed new standards that supporters say will strengthen civics instruction and critics call deeply flawed.
The board begins its meeting Monday morning to review the proposed social studies standards and is expected to vote Friday.
Education groups are split over the proposals. Andrew Freeman, Media Relations Coordinator for the Texas Freedom Network, criticized both the content and the pace of the work.
“What they’re presenting to students is an incomplete, dishonest, rushed version of history.” Freeman said the stakes are long-term: “The standards that they pass are effect of the whole next 10 years.”
Mary Castle, Director of Government Relations for Texas Values, praised the board’s work and said the proposed standards would benefit students.
“The board has done an excellent job. We feel very positive about that direction,” Castle said. She added, “I believe these standards are very solid in creating informed patriots, and also creating critical thinkers.”
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The proposed standards would guide what Texas public school students learn in social studies classrooms. They include a greater emphasis on civics and government, require instruction on communism, expand Texas and U.S. history lessons, and include references to Christianity and the Bible.
Critics argue the board’s process has been flawed and that revisions won’t fix what they see as fundamental problems.
“No amount of amendments can save this curriculum that is so deeply flawed, so ideologically prejudiced and incomplete. We really need to scrap it all,” Freeman said.
If approved, the new standards would take effect beginning with the 2030-31 school year.